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“What a fucking cunt,” Cooper said, shaking his head “Who does that?”

“Apparently Heather Brinks,” I told hih school boyfriend duoing to kill her that night in Olympia Even now she practically hisses and spits at her every tih I have to give hied me We decided to ride it out, but now half of Hallies Falls thinks I’ht not want to live here anymore?”

“Yeah, I can see it,” Cooper admitted “But Tinker, if you think about it, you didn’t actually do anything wrong I mean, you probably should’ve locked the door, but other than that, the kid’s a legal adult, right?”

“Of course,” I said “And it wasn’t like I hired his just happened”

“And you were drunk,” he added “Was the guy drunk, too?”

“Maybe a little buzzed,” I admitted “But nowhere near as drunk as me”

“So he saw his chance and went for it,” he continued, still sin’ body, Tinker He knehat he wanted and took it Not his fault his uy fucks a stripper for free, everyone thinks he’s a stud—why should this be any different? And why do you care what a bunch of small-minded cunts think anyway? Not like you lost any friendships thatfuck about any of this”

It tookup on the “bangin’ body” comment Then I processed the rest of his words

“Carrie said she was jealous,” I admitted “Said she’d have done him in a heartbeat if it wasn’t for Darren And I think Darren just enjoyed how pissed off Maisy was She’s been a bitch to all of us for years”

Cooper smiled

“So there you have it If it makes you feel better, I’ve fucked all kinds of strippers Managed a club for a couple years, actually, and if they play the gaood money And they’re real people, just like the rest of us—it’s not like you went down on a donkey Hell, the kid got lucky Gotta admire that kind of initiative on his part”

I stared at hi to wrap my head around what he’d said

“It really doesn’t bother you, does it?” I asked Cooper shook his head

“Nope, it really doesn’t botherdarker “I’d have done the sa in his place”

Wait Did I hear that right? Holy shit!

“Are you hitting on irlfriend Just because I slept with a stripper doesn’t mean I’m a slut”

He caught and held aze, dark eyes intense

“I’ the truth,” he replied, his words slow and deliberate “You’re smart and sexy and hot as hell, and if I was free I’d be all over that But you’re right, I’ve got a girlfriend and I’ to break up with her Doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a beautiful woman when I see her Now, you want to eat that cupcake or not?”